The mayor of Genoa has asked Queen
Elizabeth to pay the northwestern Italian port city back for
allegedly allowing the British crown to use the Cross of St
George free of charge for the last 250 years.
In the Middle Ages London obtained the use of the flag, which
had been used in the crusades and by the maritime republic of
Genoa as a warning sign to hostile ships, for its fleet in
exchange for an annual tribute which over the years turned into
a gratuity.
Mayor Marco Bucci has now written in jest to the queen in
what he called "the greatest marketing campaign Genoa could
stage".
In his letter, Bucci said "Your Majesty, I regret to inform
you that from my books it looks like you didn't pay for the last
247 years".
photo: Cross flies from Doge's Palace in Genoa
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